The LOST Central Railroad of New Jersey - The Story of NJ's Forgotten Trains - IT'S HISTORY

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  • čas přidán 5. 01. 2022
  • As one of the most influential railroads in all of New Jersey, the Central New Jersey Railroad has had an incredible impact on the Garden State’s growth throughout the 19th century. It flourished, carrying millions of passengers throughout its lifespan-though it met a tragic end thanks to the rise of automobiles and the widespread fall of railroads all across America. But did you know that not only an abandoned terminal remains, but a replica of a Blue Comet train car still remain? Today, we’ll be taking a look at the lost glory of the Central New Jersey Railroad.
    IT’S HISTORY - Weekly tales of American Urban Decay as presented by your host Ryan Socash.
    » CONTACT
    For brands, agencies and sponsorships, please contact us at itshistory@thoughtleaders.io
    / ryansocash
    / ryansocash
    » CREDIT
    Scriptwriter - Imana Schoch
    Editor - Rishi Mittal
    Host - Ryan Socash
    » SOURCES
    / itshistory
    » NOTICE
    Some images may be used for illustrative purposes only - always reflecting the accurate time frame and content. Events of factual error / mispronounced word/spelling mistakes - retractions will be published in this section.

Komentáře • 311

  • @alanthefisher
    @alanthefisher Před 2 lety +91

    Thanks for covering this, it would be great if NJ transit reactivated the Blue Comet line! Its a shame that alot of the CNJ right of ways have been grown over or lost completely.

    • @user-mn5zg4bi8h
      @user-mn5zg4bi8h Před 2 lety +3

      Nice to see you here Alan...

    • @soeasilynoticed
      @soeasilynoticed Před 2 lety +7

      @Jersey Railfan 104. It's also mostly single track lines now with a single freight train on Thursday nights. Much of the area along the right of way is full of NIMBYs who would never let it activate again. The long forgotten proposed MOM railway could use this if it could of just got the approval, demand and funding

    • @gunrunner7224
      @gunrunner7224 Před 2 lety +1

      @@soeasilynoticed also to add most of the track is in horrible condition with the max speed being 15mph max and several sections have no ties and a spike every 2 ties in some places. Where the tracks cross 547 into Lakewood there is a section of track that is floating above the ties and not supported im betting on a derail by summer at the latest.

    • @intercityrailpal
      @intercityrailpal Před 2 lety +1

      NJ Transit is a bus company with a few train routes. They have no interest in expanding service on their own. They run 230 bus lines. The name says it all./

    • @_SP64_
      @_SP64_ Před rokem +1

      @Jersey Railfan 104 not to mention the restoration of the Lackawanna Cut Off

  • @anthonybranca1800
    @anthonybranca1800 Před 2 lety +93

    I grew up in Hoboken and lived in Cranford. Now in South Plainfield I often take day trips to Liberty State Park. That terminal is now a wonderful museum.

  • @Catwoman1464
    @Catwoman1464 Před 2 lety +44

    I really admire the Americans for their railroad pioneering, Greetings from Germany :)

    • @robaitken4592
      @robaitken4592 Před 2 lety +9

      We could say the same of Germany and its operation as the rail crossroads of Europe - Cheers from New Jersey

    • @andyrob3259
      @andyrob3259 Před 2 lety +2

      There’s nothing pioneering about not maintaining a track for 30 years so it bends and warps more than a roller coaster but STILL run trains over them.

    • @Zebred2001
      @Zebred2001 Před 2 lety +2

      Why? The British invented railways. Everybody else got theirs from them (and much else of the modern world)!

  • @zach1810
    @zach1810 Před 2 lety +26

    As a resident of Central NJ I cant get enough of your NYC and NJ episodes. Keep it going. There is so much history to be told here.

  • @darylreed7771
    @darylreed7771 Před 2 lety +49

    Born and raised in Toms River. Lovin all this Jersey history. I remember fishing and jumping off those old railroad bridges as a kid. Too much fun and a lot of great memories. Great channel my man, keep the Jersey stories coming!

    • @Cha-y412
      @Cha-y412 Před 2 lety +2

      If you are talking about the remains of the RR bridge from Bayville across the Barnaget Bay to Seaside Park, that bridge belonged to the Pennsylvania RR.

    • @PowerTrain611
      @PowerTrain611 Před 2 lety +4

      I grew up in forked river, by the remains of what I believe was the Tuckerton railroad. There an old wooden trestle in town still standing that people use to jump from into the water. The rest of the old right of way is still clearly visible behind the ShopRite too. It's now a dirt path.

    • @sirbrigit
      @sirbrigit Před 2 lety +4

      Grew up in Waretown, that's the Cedar Creek trestle bridge just east of Hebrew Park. Most of the right-of-way has been converted into a Rail Trail from Bayville to Barnegat. There is still some freight service into Lakewood. In the early 2000's the rails were restored into Lakehurst for Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst to use in removal of contaminated soil from the old Hercules(?) Missile base that had a fire back in the 60's and contaminated the area with Plutonium.

    • @PowerTrain611
      @PowerTrain611 Před 2 lety +1

      @@sirbrigit That's the one! Hebrew park! Gosh it's been so long since I've been there, I've forgotten the name. It's been over a decade, maybe I'm due for a visit.

    • @jayson7136
      @jayson7136 Před 2 lety +1

      Bayville kid here the replaced the old Barneget Branch Trussel in Lacey Bayville border with a walking/biking bridge, was a year late to jumping off the old one but the new one is still sick. Happened maybe about 4-5 years ago. Loved spending my middle school years biking that trail

  • @ManvilleMatt
    @ManvilleMatt Před 2 lety +20

    The Clinton Station diner has a car from the blue comet attached to it that they serve patrons in.

    • @thomaschew2191
      @thomaschew2191 Před 3 měsíci

      The Clinton Station Diner is located right off I-78 in Clinton east of Phillipsburg

    • @arielfilmsinc1926
      @arielfilmsinc1926 Před měsícem

      @@thomaschew2191 AND THOSE BIG HAMBURGERS

  • @MrSloika
    @MrSloika Před 2 lety +48

    I was born in Jersey City but grew up in Bergen County. When I was a boy there was abandoned rail infrastructure scattered all over the state. Most of it has since been bulldozed and cut up for scrap. It's amazing how much America just throws away.

    • @helbent4
      @helbent4 Před rokem +2

      If something like a railroad outlives its usefulness, then you may as well recycle the steel and bulldoze the tracks so you can develop the space. Otherwise, what else are you going to do with obsolete rail?

    • @mirzaahmed6589
      @mirzaahmed6589 Před 9 měsíci +1

      Why wouldn't they? No one was riding the trains. Are they supposed to keep the tracks and bridges just for show?

    • @mirzaahmed6589
      @mirzaahmed6589 Před 9 měsíci +2

      @@helbent4 these railfans have no sense of reality.

    • @helbent4
      @helbent4 Před 9 měsíci

      @@mirzaahmed6589 You know what, I'll walk back my comment just a little. Some disused rail lines and bridges can be converted to recreational use. By all means, keep some of the more picturesque or useful infrastructure. But it shouldn't all be sacrosanct.

    • @marcbuisson2463
      @marcbuisson2463 Před 7 měsíci

      ​@@helbent4 You can use them to develop the cities and the region?
      Like, in Paris in the 70's, we reupgraded many of our old 19th century raillines, and made them cross the city. It became the RER and those that don't cross the city are the transiliens. They have their own problems, but something like line A moves 1.3 million people daily.

  • @FromSagansStardust
    @FromSagansStardust Před 2 lety +36

    The Newark Bay Bridge was a lift bridge, not a swing bridge. I grew up in Bayonne, my grandfather was an engineer and retired in 1967 from the Jersey Central.

    • @eileencoffey6657
      @eileencoffey6657 Před 2 lety +8

      I think the video states the original bridge was a 2 track swing bridge and replaced by the 4 track lift bridge sometime in the early 20th century. It would make sense, The longest railroad lift bridge in the world is across the Kill van kull to Staten Island, that is a replacement for a swing bridge that was originally there.

    • @FromSagansStardust
      @FromSagansStardust Před 2 lety +2

      @@eileencoffey6657 I must have missed that, and yes, it makes sense. Sure wish my grandpops was still around, so many things I wish I could ask him about!

    • @str8alphamale
      @str8alphamale Před 2 lety +1

      @@eileencoffey6657 I wonder is this was the bride that old time New York Yankee player Snuffy Stirnweiss was killed on coming from N.J. to Ny.

    • @JJNJ49
      @JJNJ49 Před rokem +1

      @@str8alphamale Yes that was the bridge. 48 people died in that disaster.

    • @jackcraig4268
      @jackcraig4268 Před 2 měsíci

      @@JJNJ49 In 1958.

  • @Trainfan1055Janathan
    @Trainfan1055Janathan Před 2 lety +57

    They've been talking about extending NJ Transit to Phillipsburg, Easton, Bethlehem and Allentown since 2015. So far, all they've done is repaint repaint the bridge where the old Easton Station was. I think they also installed lighting in the exterior.

    • @samanthab1923
      @samanthab1923 Před 2 lety +9

      Amtrak had a meeting about reopening the Cut-off in Stroudsburg last week.

    • @wooiiin7281
      @wooiiin7281 Před 2 lety +6

      My god father and father both work for transit told me about this. They are low on train equipment, workers due to covid and they’ve been wanting to do this put they are also low on money. Transit also won’t stop the Atlantic City line for odd reasons. My god father said they’ve gotten the clear to build more track and also own all that track on the valley line but transit is just too lazy

    • @wooiiin7281
      @wooiiin7281 Před 2 lety +6

      And also transits plan is from what I’ve heard is to make Allentown express stopping at Easton Bethlehem philipsburg and going straight to raritin Plainfield dunellen roselle park Westfield Union Newark and New York

    • @jacobbuxton932
      @jacobbuxton932 Před 2 lety +1

      Yeah that’s true, that’s all they’ve done so far

    • @davideddings2385
      @davideddings2385 Před 2 lety +1

      @@wooiiin7281 I've been looking into this but can't find any recent information on it considering reinstating the nj transit stop in Phillipsburg. Where did you hear this from

  • @frankjonathan8043
    @frankjonathan8043 Před 2 lety +5

    Great story of the CNJ. Did anyone else notice that at 11:58 "Jersey" is misspelled?

  • @debanam
    @debanam Před 2 lety +13

    Thank you so much for covering NJ. I would love it if the trains started running again. We have dead tracks and old stations that would be wonderful if reactivated.

  • @biglittlerailroad874
    @biglittlerailroad874 Před 2 lety +10

    Possibly a video on one of the more hidden and obscure railroads in New Jersey. The Lehigh & Hudson River Railway, which served as a bridge route for multiple railroads between Philipsburg, NJ and Maybrook, NY.

  • @user-mn5zg4bi8h
    @user-mn5zg4bi8h Před 2 lety +7

    Lackawanna cutoff next please...

  • @tomf.2327
    @tomf.2327 Před 2 lety +17

    My great grandma worked there as a car cleaner for decades. After it stopped being in use, they would have some events there. I remember after the Berlin Wall fell, they had parts of the wall on display at the terminal along items that people used to escape (a car with the car seat inside cut out to hide someone for example). Great place and hopefully it can open up again at some point!

  • @terrisomers7843
    @terrisomers7843 Před rokem +4

    Many miles of different railroad tracks up in Sussex and Warren Counties have had the rails, ties and ballast removed and have been turned into the Rails to Trails program. Before that those of us who were avid horseback riders used them. You could go all day and many miles. They were beautiful.

  • @reneesalazar1431
    @reneesalazar1431 Před 2 lety +1

    I grew up in Bayonne. Spent 37 years there. Left only 2 years ago. But I'm still in NJ.

  • @FirstnameLastname-qc3xx
    @FirstnameLastname-qc3xx Před 2 lety +3

    Im from south Jersey (near glassboro). Usually whenever I hear history stories about NJ it’s always relative to north.

  • @edwinsalau150
    @edwinsalau150 Před 2 lety +7

    They tore down the station in South Toms River!What a disgrace! The station in Beachwood was a library when I was a kid!
    There was a station in Seaside also!

    • @surfeyes
      @surfeyes Před 2 lety

      That's sad. I grew up Hunterdon Co btw Clinton and Flemington during the 80s and early 90s but have NJ roots in South Jersey going back to late 19th Century. I recognize a lot of the pictures and trains, and knew parts of this history but embarrassingly couldn't put a timeline history together like this! I remember the Toms River station (had close friend that lived there). Nostaligic for NJ now!

    • @samanthab1923
      @samanthab1923 Před 2 lety

      Whitehouse Station on the Raritan Valley Line has their town library in the station.

  • @chrisscerbo5731
    @chrisscerbo5731 Před 2 lety +8

    I really like these history videos especially the ones from New jersey. I never knew about most of these things. Great work

    • @jerseyjoyride1316
      @jerseyjoyride1316 Před 11 měsíci +1

      This is why I like walking. In some places where you drive by constantly there are things you'll never see unless you walk. I've only started recording my walks and adventures in New Jersey.
      Recently I was walking on 46 in Totowa and came across the railroad tracks that are next to the LensCrafters. I'd almost forgotten that those railroad tracks used to run across the highway there!

  • @PoconoMountaineer405
    @PoconoMountaineer405 Před 2 lety +7

    you forgot the other surviving CNJ car, clinton station diner has one, and the last steam engine to pull the blue comet is at the B&O its a 4-4-2C

    • @thomaspaccione7214
      @thomaspaccione7214 Před 2 lety

      Is that the one on Rt 78? Are you sure it was a Blue Comet coach?

  • @GreenbeanProductions
    @GreenbeanProductions Před 2 lety +4

    I love it how you cover my favorite railroad and home railroad, there is actually a abandoned CNJ line behind my house and the old CNJ station at Elizabeth where the Northeast Corridor is

  • @gonzoengineering4894
    @gonzoengineering4894 Před 2 lety +8

    It's almost painful to hear about the amazing rail access we used to have

    • @jackchen7003
      @jackchen7003 Před rokem +1

      We used to have the best railroads in the world. This country is just a declining shit hole

    • @joeruiz4010
      @joeruiz4010 Před rokem +1

      @@jackchen7003: All because the Auto Industry and Federal Government colluded on the Federal Highway Program. That's why the Private Sector Railroads went bankrupt and into Fallen Flags.

  • @richlaue
    @richlaue Před 2 lety +2

    Today, having been replaced by the Parkway and Turnpike, there is very little railroad coverage in the state.
    Even the busses have limited coverage.

  • @kevinkern2149
    @kevinkern2149 Před 2 lety +17

    The CNJ terminal in Jersey City isn't really "abandoned." As the video notes, it's used as the departure point for the ferries to Ellis and Liberty Islands (one of the original ferry slips was restored for this purpose). The head house itself is in good shape, having been restored and recently repaired after damage caused by Hurricane Sandy. The platform area is indeed reclaimed by nature, and the tracks (with one exception) are long gone, but the train shed also looks to be in pretty good shape. The combination makes for some striking photos as seen here. For an idea of how this terminal would operate in its heyday, visit the nearby Hoboken Terminal, built by the DL&W; it's still in use as an intermodal facility for trains, ferries, trollies (light rail), buses, and rapid transit. PATH, nee the Hudson & Manhattan, was supposed to link all the NJ railroad terminals on the west bank of the Hudson with NYC, and while it did connect to the terminals of the PRR (Exchange Place), Erie (Newport), and DL&W, the plans to extend it south to the CNJ never came to fruition. This likely saved the terminal from demolition as it made abandonment easier than redevelopment, which destroyed the PRR and Erie terminals.

    • @CrossOfBayonne
      @CrossOfBayonne Před 2 lety +1

      Yes the Communipaw terminal is now a museum and part of Liberty State Park, The Lackawanna one in Hoboken is the last one still in use in its original purpose with NJ Transit.

  • @peterfitzpatrick8960
    @peterfitzpatrick8960 Před 2 lety +1

    My grandfather worked for this RR. My father played on a semi-pro baseball team in Port Reading NJ, in the 1930's called the Blue Comets.

  • @jeffg.8964
    @jeffg.8964 Před 2 lety +2

    There's an old VHS tape, "The Big Little Railroad." Bought it decades ago but can't find it any longer. Was a nice show.

  • @ibrown3KC
    @ibrown3KC Před 5 měsíci +2

    The Blue Comet got Bobby Bacala whacked! If he wasn't playing with toy trains he'd have been aware of the danger he was in!

  • @BuChan89
    @BuChan89 Před 2 lety +1

    I grew up in Neptune City, NJ in Monmouth County. It's the hometown of Jack Nicholson and Danelectro Guitars. Currently living in Aomori, Japan. Would love to see a rise and decline and revival of Asbury Park video in the future. Love this channel.

  • @billylozito1789
    @billylozito1789 Před 2 lety +4

    Hi could you do a episode on history of the Lackawanna cutoff built by the DL&W?

  • @jetsons101
    @jetsons101 Před 2 lety +3

    Was this part of the line that went up to Ramsey? Thanks for your time and effort. Nothing like "high" taxes to kill jobs. Thanks again......

  • @UsedNapkin458
    @UsedNapkin458 Před 2 lety +3

    0:10 so what you’re saying is what it lacked in length, it made up for in girth 😳

  • @williamschlenger1518
    @williamschlenger1518 Před 2 lety +2

    1976 they ran the Blue Comet from north Jersey to Bay Head I got some great photos behind Monmouth Park racetrack.

  • @prof.michaelnetta6311
    @prof.michaelnetta6311 Před 2 lety +2

    My grandfather worked for the Central Railroad. Union county has had plans to reactivate the line as a light rail from Plainfield to port Elizabeth and put in a ferry terminal. Safe to say those plans have not been acted on.

    • @stanpolchinski8956
      @stanpolchinski8956 Před rokem

      bochie said she lived in port Elizabeth, whole town 's area is now just a r.r. cross x in the Middle of no where!?.
      saw an image of the r.r. crossing in a r.r. magazine years ago. magazine came out of brookfield? in Wisconsin.?

  • @dacechasinghawk3910
    @dacechasinghawk3910 Před 2 lety +1

    I like to listen to Ryan Socash's narration. Reminds me of a dude I knew in Junior High School and High School who was a smart book worm type of guy who never got teased or bullied because he was such a likable guy. His reports were so detailed that even the kids who normally wouldn't pay attention? Like myself, LOL would be at the edge of our seats. This "It's History" Channel has become one of my favorites. I've been to Detroit for "Youmacon" anime convention. And always wondered about the Booker Building. That was the most unique building I ever seen. So I loved Ryan's take on what a great work of Architecture it is.

  • @sarasotasage6135
    @sarasotasage6135 Před 2 lety +5

    It's not called "The" Conrail. It's just called Conrail.

    • @Boxpok
      @Boxpok Před 2 lety +1

      I caught that too

  • @keith8758
    @keith8758 Před 2 lety +2

    Grew up in Highlands and Toms River, always fascinated by NJ's railroad history. Thanks for posting.

    • @samanthab1923
      @samanthab1923 Před 2 lety +1

      When we were kids being driven to the beach club in Sea Bright guys used to job off that 36 bridge. We’d be stopped to have it open for the sailboats & they’d be climbing all over in their cut offs 😂

  • @RoadTripTelevision
    @RoadTripTelevision Před 7 měsíci +1

    The Whippany Train Museum is located in the Township of Hanover, Morris County, New Jersey. Great place to visit! 👌

  • @OriginalBongoliath
    @OriginalBongoliath Před 2 lety +2

    At least the memory lives on with many Blue Comets and the CNJ for that matter surviving on model train layouts across the country.

  • @chrisscerbo5731
    @chrisscerbo5731 Před 2 lety +4

    They need to bring back some of these lines to help with traffic. Just think all these less cars on the road from these trains running again

  • @sarasotasage6135
    @sarasotasage6135 Před 2 lety +2

    @12:00 "Jesrey" Central Lines!

  • @Michaelengelmann
    @Michaelengelmann Před 2 lety +2

    “What it lacked in length” is something I’ll hear but not with trains

  • @americansaxon2101
    @americansaxon2101 Před 2 lety +1

    15:22 I remember Conrail in Cleveland! THAT'S MY CITY! WOOO!

  • @jerseystrongg2g352
    @jerseystrongg2g352 Před 2 lety +1

    Thank you Ryan, that was great history right there. Jersey Strong.

  • @surfeyes
    @surfeyes Před 2 lety +3

    Grew up in Hunterdon County. Thanks for this!

    • @samanthab1923
      @samanthab1923 Před 2 lety

      Go see the Black River & Western in Ringoes & Phillipsburg has a nice ride along the river.

  • @Goprof150
    @Goprof150 Před 2 lety +2

    You should do the Staten Island railroad next.

  • @charlescrawford7039
    @charlescrawford7039 Před 2 lety +9

    One of the steam locomotives that were regularly seen on the Central Railroad of New Jersey (CNJ)were Camelbacks. This type of locomotive had the engineer's cab placed in the center of the locomotive and straddling the boiler thus giving the locomotive a hump profile. The fireman and engineer were separated because the unique configuration. The large fireboxes allowed for the burning of readily available cheap culm (anthracite coal waste). A remaining CNJ camelback can be seen at the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum. It is CNJ No. 592 with a 4-4-2-wheel arrangement.
    Since the CNJ had extensive commuter service which terminated at the Hudson River facility, the company acquired six double cab diesel locomotives (Baldwin DRX-6-4-2000) which eliminated the need to turn around each locomotive at Jersey City.

    • @Cha-y412
      @Cha-y412 Před 2 lety +1

      There is a Camelback on Rt 30 in Absecon NJ in front of a Harley Davidson dealership. Located less the 1/4 mile from the Garden State Parkway.
      Ive never stopped to see it , Im guessing a NJC or PRR Camelback.

    • @kevinjennerproductions2024
      @kevinjennerproductions2024 Před 2 lety

      @@Cha-y412 That is an 0-4-0t Saddle Tank switcher that used to work for the Philidelphia Navy Yard. It was USN 3, It did not run for CNJ or PRR

  • @1shakirphilippe1
    @1shakirphilippe1 Před 2 lety +2

    Grew up in Union County. *Fascinating video :)*

  • @drscopeify
    @drscopeify Před 2 lety +1

    Fantastic video as always! I think a great video idea is the Milwaukee Road, the largest electrified rail network in the world for many decades and they decided to extend the network from Chicago to Seattle at absolutely insane effort, through Montana, Idaho and Washington which at the time was as remote as it gets in 1901, not only did they cross the Rockies and build the still in use today: Cascade tunnels in the Cascades in WA state, but the entire line was Electrified too!! They built power plants and electric switching stations in the middle of the most remote parts of the country, up and down mountains, bridges, steep grades and so on. I have visited some of what is left of the network such as bridges still today marked with Milwaukee Road logos, I have some cool photos, as well as the remaining power transfer station that still stand or today are museums.

  • @Bill-in3cn
    @Bill-in3cn Před 2 lety +1

    both my grandfather and great grandfather worked for the central railroad on freight trains for a combined time of over 90 years, heard some stories over the years.

  • @MarineRecon6682
    @MarineRecon6682 Před 2 lety +1

    I grew up in Jersey City and visited the train station so many times I just truly can't believe the decay of it. I think the last time I was there was around 1991 yes all of the buildings are beautiful and of course all the track is long gone. Thank you for bringing this video to me I very much enjoyed it considering that I lived all over the state of New Jersey

  • @anthonysaggio6551
    @anthonysaggio6551 Před 2 lety +1

    What a great story i love railroad history especially in NJ

  • @Salty_reviews
    @Salty_reviews Před 2 lety +2

    Please do more North East railroad videos!

  • @richlaue
    @richlaue Před 2 lety +1

    They are working on restoring a section between Lakehurst and the Woodmansie section of Woodland Townshiplp for use by Clayton Sand.

    • @williamgerkens573
      @williamgerkens573 Před 2 lety +1

      Lot of dirt biking in that area back in the early 70s.
      When the pinelands were unrestricted. Rode all up and down that line around Chatsworth.

  • @skippermatt7939
    @skippermatt7939 Před 2 lety +3

    I inherited my grandfather's vintage Lionel Blue Comet from the 80s. I've always wanted to see a color photo of the real train.

    • @paulw.woodring7304
      @paulw.woodring7304 Před 2 lety

      A Lionel Blue Comet set was part of the plot of one of the last episodes of "The Sopranos", titled "The Blue Comet". Many, many trains were harmed in the making of that episode. You can see the relevant scene here on YT under "The Sopranos, Bobby Gets Wacked". Truly some great cinematography of a mobster meeting his untimely demise in a model train store as he was just about to spend some big bucks on said Lionel train set, but one from the 1950s.

  • @kurtmuller6750
    @kurtmuller6750 Před rokem +1

    I grew up in South Jersey. Far fewer trains there but still, this is incredibly cool information.

  • @kirkstinson7316
    @kirkstinson7316 Před 2 lety +5

    So many trains went to Philipsburg back then. It was probably an affluent town. Shame what it's become

  • @docnecrotic
    @docnecrotic Před 2 lety

    This was local history during my childhood. Thanks for covering this.

  • @PhilliesNostalgia
    @PhilliesNostalgia Před 2 lety +4

    At least the Raritan Valley Line and North Jersey Coast Line have been used by NJ Transit and part of the HBLR uses tracks that the CNJ had once used

  • @bryanm2021
    @bryanm2021 Před 2 lety +1

    I work for New Jersey transit track dept. From 80’s to now it is a complete different railroad

  • @louislamonte334
    @louislamonte334 Před 2 lety +1

    I just love the Central RR of New Jersey!!

  • @krisjeff97
    @krisjeff97 Před 2 lety +3

    Originally from Long Valley. I believe the High Bridge portion of the CNJ line ran through LV (German Valley) at the time. Super interesting. Thanks for this.

  • @markiewodi3371
    @markiewodi3371 Před 7 měsíci

    I sooooo love your channel!! Keep it up!

  • @karldammann
    @karldammann Před 2 lety +1

    Excellent content.

  • @johnstraley9057
    @johnstraley9057 Před 5 měsíci

    My Grandfather started as an Oiler with the Central RR, then operated a roundhouse turntable on 12 hour shifts. Finished his career as Chief Engineer of the Central RR powerhouse on the Jersey City waterfront, where the coal dumper operated.

  • @thomaschew2191
    @thomaschew2191 Před 3 měsíci

    I grew up in Belmar in the 1960s and we rode the New York and Long Branch all the time for something to do. One time taking a CNJ passenger train south to Bay Head the conductor let us stay on the train as it went around the loop. We got out and chatted with the crew that refueled the locomotive. It was a very nice gesture I was probably about 12 or 13. This was sometime around 1970. Both the CNJ and Pennsylvania RR ran passenger trains on the NYLBRR the Pennsylvania were pulled by A-B-A E-7s I think they were, the CNJ a single diesel. The ride quality and the interiors of the Pennsylvania coaches were far superior. My Dad told us on more than one occasion to appreciate the locomotives in PA red and the Keystone placard on the front because their days were numbered. Sometime around 1972 a trainman gave me a PennCentral lapel pin which is of course lost to time. I do however have 2 Pennsey and 1 CNJ kerosene signal lanterns one of them (Pennsylvania) was given to my Dad when he was a kid by a NYLBRR trainman. Grandpop owned a Diner in Belmar and this guy ate there often. This would have been in the late 1930s early 40s.

  • @JerseyJeff84
    @JerseyJeff84 Před 2 lety

    I'm a South Jersey native, born & bred. I love history, especially about places I have lived or been. Never know or heard about this railroad. So cool!

  • @rjl110919581
    @rjl110919581 Před 2 lety

    thank you sharing your video as great watching

  • @chrisscerbo5731
    @chrisscerbo5731 Před 2 lety +1

    They finally finished replacing that raising bridge between jersey city and newark

  • @rogerpenske2411
    @rogerpenske2411 Před 2 lety

    A very fine video, Ryan

  • @THR33STEP
    @THR33STEP Před 2 lety +2

    13:30 - That’s Lehigh and New England, not Lehigh to New England.

  • @mellowyellow6572
    @mellowyellow6572 Před 2 lety +2

    My town has a plaque marking where the town’s train station used to be. There’s even still a railway bridge, albeit without the rails.

  • @richardhoff1626
    @richardhoff1626 Před 2 lety +1

    As a young boy, my mother took us on a trip to New York on one of the last runs of the ferry from the Jersey City terminal to lower Manhattan. My father used to love taking taking the ferry every day to his office. The PATH was not so enjoyable (even back when it was reliable).

    • @billsonsin7547
      @billsonsin7547 Před 2 lety

      My father rode the CNJ between Westfield and JC daily when he worked in lower Manhattan (1955 - 1966). They had "club cars" on each of the commuter trains which were air conditioned (most of the coaches were not) and bar service in the evenings. Trains from Wfld JC were express trains. Still remember the fights between the commuters and the RR people when they proposed routing the trains into Penn Station in Newark (the Aldene Plan) which they ultimately did after he retired. Whole system is part of NJ Transit now.

  • @edwardburke3791
    @edwardburke3791 Před 2 lety

    Love it. Grew up in a tiny unincorporated historical area adjacent to Monmouth Battlefield. Still has a freight line once in a while to support local producers but it used to be a real active line. Maybe to long branch. Found this vid so interesting and got me wondering 🤔

  • @Paddyboro
    @Paddyboro Před 2 lety

    Nice subtle bit of Satie there fella, quality upload as per, cheers bud.

  • @carltonthesponge
    @carltonthesponge Před 2 lety +1

    one of my favorite Sopranos episodes

  • @unclebob6728
    @unclebob6728 Před 2 lety

    thank you!

  • @donkensler
    @donkensler Před rokem

    Thanks. I grew up in South Jersey, and the quickest route from my house to the shore went through Chatsworth in the Pinelands, where the road took a right, went over some railroad tracks, then went left. I was curious about the tracks as a kid, and only later learned they were part of the CNJ and that the Blue Comet had traveled over those tracks through Chatsworth. I've long since moved from NJ, but enjoy reading about NJ's hitory.

  • @promiscuous5761
    @promiscuous5761 Před 2 lety

    Thank you.

  • @CrossOfBayonne
    @CrossOfBayonne Před 2 lety +1

    The Communipaw terminal was also used by the Baltimore & Ohio too in fact the locomotive P7 5300 on my profile pic were cousins of the Blue Comet steamers and were often frequently seen alongside eachother at the old engine servicing facility which had since been removed, The P7 class was meant for use on the CNJ mainline towards Philadelphia and they were used there until the 1940s when dieselzation took effect

  • @larrydimeo650
    @larrydimeo650 Před rokem

    WE WANT MORE JERSEY HOSTORY! THANK YOU!

  • @dizzydnice82
    @dizzydnice82 Před 2 lety +3

    Isn't that spotswood NJ

  • @ronalddevine9587
    @ronalddevine9587 Před 2 lety +1

    Fascinating video. Lionel, whose factories were in New Jersey made a few "Blue Comets."
    Any chance of doing a video on the New Haven Railroad?

  • @robertcramer117
    @robertcramer117 Před rokem

    My grandfather (Bishop Smith) was one of the Blue Comet Engineers. I met him in the mid Fifties and was to young to know what a historic icon he was. I have some of his memorabilia but to this day have always wondered if there was a dish-ware pattern unique to the Blue Comet. Any help or pictures would truly be appreciated. Ate at the “Clinton Station Diner” this past week. Living history. Thanks

  • @greylock2672
    @greylock2672 Před 2 lety

    Thank you for the video. What is now the Raritan Valley Line was part the mainline for CNJ. For anyone who is interested there is a small museum at Fanwood train station that houses an exhibit about the history of the Central Railroad.

  • @rdleahey
    @rdleahey Před rokem

    GREAT HISTORY! I wish you would do a post about the steep Los Angeles cable car. I ride it once. It has quite a history I understand.

  • @maxivisionvermont1333
    @maxivisionvermont1333 Před 2 lety +1

    Love this homies

  • @RCAvhstape
    @RCAvhstape Před rokem +1

    I can't look at that Blue Comet train without thinking about Bobby's demise.

  • @michaelgabriel7919
    @michaelgabriel7919 Před měsícem

    I grew up in Union Co. and according to a history written of the area (Along The Upper Road by Jean Turner) there was an old incomplete rail line (bankrupted)... that was supposed to run from Newark southward towards Rahway. According to the history... they stopped construction somewhere along the planned route.
    As a teenager I found a half dozen badly corroded iron 'blobs' along an old embankment... I later determined they were old railroad spikes.
    As far as I know that old embankment is still there... in an area of land completely enclosed by residential properties.
    As a teenager I was fascinated by archeology... and that area screamed (even to a young and inexperienced youth) that this little depression... had been radically changed by humans.
    If you look at the sides of the depression they are irregular and 'natural looking' slopping down to the lowest point... but the embankment is an almost straight line... cutting across the depression... at a fairly consistent level.
    This embankment ends abruptly in our backyard (my father told me a previous owner had leveled the area) and doesn't exist beyond our yard. From the look of it... it seems the work stopped in our yard... and the natural contours (beyond our yard) continues on.
    I've aways wondered what might be buried under all of that overgrowth and decades of decomp. As far as I know the space is public owned... and should be accessible for investigating.
    The area is in Hillside NJ... and is defined by Clark St on the south, Munn Ave on the west, Morris Place on the east, and Williamson Ave on the north. My old home was 1523 Munn Ave.

  • @Vladimir-Putin-
    @Vladimir-Putin- Před 2 lety +1

    The one observation car is a diner in Clinton NJ

  • @MM-rw8jv
    @MM-rw8jv Před měsícem

    I currently live in Long Branch and could have sworn that I once saw a map with an easement that showed railroad tracks that led from the end of White Street in the North end of town that runs behind the houses in Monmouth Beach. I always wondered what that was all about and I think this video just solved a question I have had for 25 years since I live in the North end and walk my dog past this spot daily.

  • @Quickfire412
    @Quickfire412 Před rokem

    I grew up in Tuckerton and had no idea about the Tuckerton Railroad

  • @charlespaterson9714
    @charlespaterson9714 Před 2 lety +1

    The CNJ ran through Cranford as noted. The original name of Cranford was Crane's Ford, not "Foot". The Crane Family owned the ford across the Rahway River.

    • @SandfordSmythe
      @SandfordSmythe Před 4 měsíci

      Steven Crane, the author of The Red Badge of Courage, was one of them.

  • @PowerTrain611
    @PowerTrain611 Před rokem

    It's amazing how much of the CNJ is gone. There are only two steam locomotives left from the railroad, of which one is actually operational, the CNJ 113, which runs out of Minersville Pennsylvania on the Reading and Northerm. The other is a 4-4-2 Camelback which resides in the Baltimore and Ohio railroad museum in Baltimore, Maryland.

  • @tylerjaesmith
    @tylerjaesmith Před 2 lety +1

    Now if only NJ could be lost forever

  • @timosha21
    @timosha21 Před 2 lety

    Ding ding! I'm a tram and I approve this video! Great footage!

  • @joemazzola7387
    @joemazzola7387 Před 2 lety +3

    How about a video obout the Woodbridge n j bankers express train crash of the 1950 s

  • @patchizek4716
    @patchizek4716 Před 2 lety

    I was with some friends near Carranza memorial and we saw some overgrown tracks in the woods near there. I was wondering what they were, but that map at 9:15 makes me think it was the southern division CRRNJ line, between Atsion and Whitings. Cool stuff!
    Wish we still had some of these lines around today.

  • @wondabiz
    @wondabiz Před 2 lety +1

    can you try to do one about the original sacramento northern? it once ran from oakland all the way to sacramento. much of it is covered over but you can still find some trackbed

  • @hemsurvival3413
    @hemsurvival3413 Před 2 lety +3

    I live near Winslow junction I would love to see some of these old rails in use

    • @matthewstreet5870
      @matthewstreet5870 Před 2 lety +1

      I agree either a bike trail or the rail road cars like they have in Cape May.

    • @SouthJerseyRailfan
      @SouthJerseyRailfan Před rokem +1

      Winslow Junction is still actively used

  • @charlieirvin5423
    @charlieirvin5423 Před rokem

    My Grandparents lived in Lakehurst NJ and my grandfather worked for the Railroad